For someone who once described her own movement on a clay court as reminiscent of "a cow on ice", in recent years Sharapova has looked decidedly sure footed on the surface - highlighted by victory in Rome in 2011.

One month later, she further enhanced her Roland Garros credentials with a dogged defense of her Rome title, battling through a menacing-looking draw before overturning a seemingly unassailable deficit - and fending off a match point - to defeat Li Na in the final.

But while Sharapova's quest was the dominant storyline, she was far from the only player making headlines in the spring months.

Meanwhile, away from the spotlight of the Premier-level events, the teak tough Sara Errani was quietly compiling some pretty impressive numbers of her own, winning in Acapulco, Barcelona and Budapest.

And Errani's success was not confined to the singles court either; alongside compatriot, best friend and training partner Roberta Vinci, she dominated the doubles scene in Europe, winning four titles, including a maiden Slam at Roland Garros.

If Errani and Vinci's triumph in Paris was somewhat predictable, there was nothing scripted about the singles competition.

Williams' shock exit left the path clear for Sharapova, and she obliged by making it through to the final, although not without a scare along the way. Meeting her there was Errani after an odds-defying run that saw her take out two of the Top 10 and two former champions.